This fellow, Greg Feltes, has a great snarky response to Nick Arhos' little screed, mentioned here previously, about the importance of tamping down birth control because its immoral or some such nonsense. Here's an excerpt:
Fellow Northern Star columnist Nick Arhos recently solicited help from our readers in getting the university to do away with free condoms. He obviously will succeed because fighting sexually transmitted diseases obviously is a fad, just like the XFL and the Backstreet Boys.
I think we need to prepare for the eventuality of his success and come up with cost-efficient, makeshift condoms by using things laying around your apartment or residence hall. Some of my ideas: Mike's Hard Lemonade labels, discarded Ramen noodle boxes or printouts of DARS reports.
If I read this correctly being married in Nairobi gives the man the right to exert his "conjugal rights" and have sex with whomsoever he wants to outside of the marriage. That certainly strikes me as great recipe for the spread of disease. Although most likely a terrible recipe for a good marriage.
Of course this shouldn't be surprising if it's true that some in Africa believe that having sex with virgins cures AIDS.
In Japan they have a vending machine which dispenses condoms according to blood type. Weird!
An Internet company has a plan to make sure they have your size covered. They've called Condomania, and they're offering a new line of condoms in 55 sizes. But what's so special about these rubbers? According to the company's Adam Glickman, the "TheyFit" brand condoms are more comfortable and less likely to tear than other styles. And if you're not sure what size you'll need, just see Condomania's online special measuring tool. If you think you may not measure up, don't cry. The measurements are defined by random number and letter combinations. Meaning you won't get a warning on your monitor saying something like, "Sorry, we don't make 'em that small."
From the Advocate
Retailer to release line of condoms in 55 sizes
Billed as a better way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and reduce unwanted pregnancies, an Internet retailer has begun offering a line of condoms that come in 55 different sizes. Los Angeles-based Condomania says the "TheyFit" condoms offer a more comfortable fit than other brands. A better fit should lead to fewer tears and slippage problems and less anxiety, said the company's CEO Adam Glickman. But any correlation between the fit of a condom and how well it protects has not been clearly defined, researchers point out. "We don't have the science to support a need for 55 sizes," said Richard Crosby, an assistant professor at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Most brand-name condoms, which typically are available in only three or four size variations, can be found in convenience stores or vending machines. But stocking so many sizes will likely keep the "TheyFit" line available only through the Internet or specialty shops, Glickman said.
Robert has an interesting site about Herpes. But I'm afraid he is incorrect when he advises some chap that non-latex condoms allow the herpes virus to pass through the membrane. Sorry but, no, that's simply not true.
It looks like our old buddy Gene & the boys continue to make booty calls while on the road.
For her catwalk show on Wednesday - one of the major events of the week - Hamnett has replaced the baggy slogan T-shirt and leggings that became her trademark with a skin-tight, revealing vest and matching knickers, with the legend Use a Condom spelt out in diamante across the chest. And she has persuaded the semi-retired supermodel Naomi Campbell to make a rare catwalk appearance to model the outfit.
This season, Hamnett is using her catwalk to promote Aids awareness, a cause she has been involved with since she put condom pockets on boxer shorts in the 1980s. "People in this country have the idea that the Aids situation is not as bad as it used to be. They don't get that the global picture is far, far worse. If we don't change the direction Africa is going, a whole continent is going to disappear."
She chose Campbell to publicise the campaign because the model is an icon for young South Africans. She is hoping that photographs of Campbell in the outfit will be picked up as an advert by condom companies. "My dream is that it will be on hoardings all over South Africa," says Hamnett.
(most interesting cab fare of the week).the passenger who told me that he was on his way to a store called condomania in our greenwich village section of manhattan to be fitted for a condom. it seems that size does mean something after all. we shall explain. tastefully.
BTW, the story goes that during the Second World War, Russian soldiers asked Britain to add condoms to the supplies of materičl supplied on the infamous Murmansk convoys. "Send them the large size, but mark them 'small'," growled Churchill.
Which reminds me of the now oft repeated story about size issues with the genitalia of German folk.
It's nice to get the info on the customized condom line - what a hugely (heh, heh) creative idea.
Currently I use your Lifestyles slimmer-fitting condoms, mainly because I've always liked a snug fit. However, I've noticed that the current version (I think called "Snugger-Fit") in the blue package has gotten a litle too tight, compared with the older green-wrapper "Lifestyles" version.
Anyway, what I'm getting at is this - I measured myself using your kit at around M88. Do you happen to know how that compares to the current Lifestyles slim
fit condom? I have a good quantity of those on hand; I would be interested in trying a looser fitting custom condom, but I'd really like to compare it to a
"known" size. Does that make sense? So I'd like to know if the Lifestyles condom is an 88, 77, 66, etc., based on your measurement scale.
Thanks and let me know if you have any info....
- Size Guy
Size Guy,
Unfortunately we really can't give you direct comparisons between previously available condoms and the TheyFit condoms. The two condoms you mention don't actually have a corollary to one of the TheyFit condoms. I can tell you that 95% of the condoms previously made by major international manufacturers do not fall into the 55 sizes in the TheyFit line. One major component of this situation is that most condoms have been made, up until now, rather longish in compared to the average guy. The idea behind this is rather simple. If a condom is a bit too long then it's not too big of a deal because the unrolled part at the base of the penis usually doesn't get in anyone's way.
Obviously you can get one of the M88 condoms and get out a ruler and then measure the LifeStyles condom of your choice and make a direct comparison but I'm afraid you'll find they do not match up in any meaningful way. Our position is that you will definitely get a better experience by simply using the Fit Kit and using the correct size TheyFit condom.
- That Other Condom Guru
Irish rock star Bono pressed President Bush today to set aside more cash for AIDS initiatives but came away disappointed after a face-to-face talk with the president at the White House.
Hey I just got interviewed for a radio station in the Denver area. I love to do radio interviews. Especially when the topic is condoms! People are always so friendly and laugh the whole time when they interview someone about the topic of condoms.
Wow, what does this mean:
Condom Use in Fic = 1 / (Likelihood of Condom Existance) * (Utility of Condom)
Some of those among us think this blog is only about our new condom line. Not true, not true. It just seems that way right now. Come back tommorrow and we'll get back to our regular programming.
"Retailer betting condom line available in 55 sizes will be a hit" writes Alex Viega, an Associated Press Business Writer. He interviews Adam and one of our customers in the New York store.
I don't really understand the quote from the doctor Richard Crosby of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. "We don't have the science to support a need for 55 sizes." Is he saying that the studies have been done and there is no need for anything beyond small, medium, and large? Obviously that's not true. If there was no need then our customers wouldn't be picking out all the 55 sizes we are now providing based on their actual measured size.
Very nifty that our story has been picked up!!! So far Google is showing its been picked up by 8 newspapers.
"It's every man's fantasy," said dancer Donna Delinqua. "But it's true. I had to laugh the other day because there I was, on the phone, negotiating something, and I realized I was completely naked."
The women of the Lusty Lady, at 1033 Kearny St., are making history again. They were the first strip club in the country to unionize, joining the Service Employees International Union several years ago.
Now, they've bought the club and have become the first employee-owned strip joint in the nation.
"It's been a real challenge," said one of the new owners, a 32-year-old veteran stripper named Pepper.
I cannot believe how quickly I received my order! I was shocked! Thanks! I'll be a returning customer for sure!
- Mary
Apparently Nick Arhos is confused about the definition of the word impose when he says, "Since when is it the job of the university to try to impose sexual immorality on its students? Don't they realize that students are here to learn, not to have sex?"
His essay may actually contain some cogent thoughts but his hyperbole and inability to use words properly undercut any point he may be trying to make. I can only hope that Northern Illinois University will teach him to be a better writer than his idol Ann Coulter.
Between 1998 and 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researched unintended pregnancies. Fifty-eight percent of the unintended pregnancies in the survey occurred because of a lack of a contraception, said Jane Lux, director of the Personal Health Services Division at the DeKalb County Health Department.
Ellis returned this week from an AIDS education tour of five African nations. He said that officials in Uganda have made strides in reducing that country's infection rate by being open and by educating their public about the pandemic.
"I learned as much as I shared," Ellis said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "Because I think we can do more to publicize and to be more forthright about AIDS, especially given sex education and other things in our school system, because right now we have some prohibition as to even what we can discuss in our school system, be it condoms and other sexual matters. I think we have our head in the sand somewhat."
It's very refreshing when public figures like Ellis refute the commonly held position among politicians in the United States that even mentioning alternatives to abstinence is to be forbidden. Comprehensive education is the only way to reduce pain and suffering and unwanted, uncared for children.
This strikes me as pretty silly. While there may be legitimate disagreements about whether or not to supply inmates with condoms it should make no difference at all whether the condoms are flavored or not. It's not like flavored condoms are unreasonably more expensive than normal condoms. There is obviously a lot more behind this story than the article reveals.
Whew. City Day in my town. Wow. Last night, Phillip, Nimi and I painted the town red. Charles, Annie, Dinho, Blake, Albertina all joined us going down to the stadium to see the "spectacle". Well, we were eight of about 2000 people with the same idea.
Admission, unexpectedly, was 5 state-subsidized condoms. All you had to do was present the condoms...but you had to have the condoms. So they were selling boxes upon boxes in the ticket booth. Surrounding the window was a very drunken crowd of about 100 men, pushing and shoving to buy condoms. Phillip and I joined the fray.
We shoved our way halfway through, then realized we were stuck. I lifted Phillip as high as I could, about three feet off the ground. Getting help from others who wanted to assist the white people, he threw money at the condom seller and received a box (about 50 condoms). We pulled him down and immediately, Phillip and I ran for cover, being held and pushed by very condom-hungry Mozambicans.
This is just plain weird. I'd love to know why condoms were the price of admission.
I think both are missing the real point. Well, OK, the tweak-the-fogies camp is not completely off base, but there is something the Natalie Krinsky who wrote this item of tweakery understands that they don't seem to. And that is this: today, sexual competence is a mainstream virtue -- part of the normal toolkit of adults, like table manners or choosing appropriate clothes.
Eric Raymond is absolutely correct in this. Like any other aspect of life if you do not have the skill and training you will not get as much from an activity as those who do. Obviously this is something to be decided by the individual but as far as Raymond's point it is completely accurate and in line with what we see every day.
Between Turks exaggerating their penis size and German penises being 'too small for EU condoms' it appears that condom size is "huge" issue worldwide. I wonder if the Germans and the Turks know about TheyFit condoms?
Well, my condoms finally arrived yesterday (tax free!) and all I can say is, wow! I am truly impressed. This is the first condom I have ever tried that really fits like it's supposed to, with no stuffing or straining. Basically, I think this condom is designed to fit my penis as well as a "normal" condom is designed to fit a "normal" penis. It almost makes me want to go back to using condoms (almost!).
My size is G21, which is the longest/second widest. Laid out flat, the condom measures about 9.5" long and 2.5" across. That compares to about 8" long/2.25" across for the Magnum XL. When put on my penis, the TheyFit condom is still securely snug, but with enough "give" that the rubber can move back and forth along the skin. It rolls down to about the point where my shaft meets my balls, which I think is about where a condom is supposed to go down to.
from The Large Penis Support Group
Very cool!!! I can't believe how happy these condoms are making folks.
Thanks,
A Toy User
Dear Toy User,
Yes both silicone and glycerine based lubricants are compatible with polyurethane condoms such as Durex Avanti or Trojan Supra.
It appears the information you have gotten is a tad incomplete. Perhaps I can clarify things for you. Silicone based lubes should not be used in conjunction with silicone based sex toys. So if you use silicone sex toys then make sure the lubes you use do not contain silicone.
Simple huh!
- That Other Condom Guru
- Potential Condom Tourist
Potential Tourist,
Well condoms are made all over the world. For example, there are condoms made in Alabama, SE Asia, China, Russia, Germany, South Africa, and pretty much anywhere you can imagine. We do not manufacture condoms ourselves and so we would be unable to grant you access to a condom plant tour. But it sounds like a great idea...I can just see it now...step this way and behold the wonders of latex "dipping," watch your step now as hot latex can be quite painful.
- That Other Condom Guru
I'm a sexologist (getting my PhD this October...my dissertation is on first dates, chemistry, and factors in first intercourse).
Are the condoms you offer sold with Non-9? or without? Or is there a choice?
- Good Doctor
Good Doctor,
Many of the condoms we sell here at Condomania come with the spermicide nonoxynol-9. This type of spermicide can be found in about a third of condoms on the market. Many of the condoms on the market are sold either with or without N-9.
You will find though that this figure will be going down in the future as more manufacturers move away from supporting this ingrediant in condoms. Mayer Labs has stopped adding N-9 to its condoms and couple of our favorite new brands, Paradise and TheyFit condoms, have been introduced without any version of N-9.
Remember you only get benefit from N-9 in a female applied contraceptive film, foam, or gel.
- That Other Condom Guru
Is there any product that will make me last longer in sex?
- Mr. 1 minute then game over
Mr. 1 Minute,
Benzocaine just might be the trick you need. Benzocaine produces a slight numbing sensation on your penis and may help you avoid premature ejaculation. Condomania carries this desensitizer in several products. The first on the market was Durex Maintain which is a desensitizing lubricant you apply directly to your penis before you put on the condom. Then Durex decided to cut out the middle step and began applying the desensitizing lotion directly to the condom lubricant so you don't have to, and walah!, the Durex Performax. Trojan has also produced such a condom: the Trojan Extended Pleasure which, when it was introduced, was the best seller at Condomania for many months.
The most important thing you need to remember when using these products they if applied to the wrong body part you, or your partner, may find that all the "wrong parts" are numb. Women tend to greatly dislike this sudden numbing in their vagina so be very careful you only apply it to yourself. If you worry you have gotten the benzocaine on the outside of the condom, it comes applied to the inside of both the Druex and Trojan varieties, then simply take the condom off and use a new one.
I once received a note from a customer who mistakenly applied Maintain to his partner's vagina and then he began performing oral sex on her. Needless to say neither one of them could feel a thing...and well there was giggling all around but not a lot of sex!
- That Other Condom Guru
It's only a matter of time. Either the market or the government will eventually move the condom market away from its reliance upon nonoxynol-9. We can all only benefit from such a development.
- An Amatuer Condom Photographer
Yes it is AACP. The nifty thing about the Trojan Supra is that the polyurethane is completly translucent. When you look at it when it's being worn you can barely tell it is even there. And of course since it is made of plastic instead of latex you can feel body heat radiating from it. Very nice!
No it's not a textured condom at all. I know it looks that way but it's not. Those lines you see are a very gentle "wave" in the structure of the condom which gives absolutely no texture whatsoever.
That Other Condom Guru